As of last Friday (October 4th), we have a new Golden Retriever in the family.
He’s a sweet, equal-opportunity loverboy.
He was found as a stray about two months ago. The lady who found him spent three days trying, unsuccessfully, to find this handsome boy’s owner. No tags, no microchip, no known owner. So, our local breed rescue took him in, vetted him, and placed him with a foster.
The poor boy’s fur was so matted that he had to be shaved down to the skin. The fur has been growing back, though he does still have some bald areas.
And he tested positive for heart worms. He was settling into his first foster home when his foster had to leave town indefinitely. This sweet boy was being boarded at the veterinary hospital that cares for all this rescue’s charges.
The volunteer coordinator called us last Tuesday, we met Radar on Wednesday morning, and on Friday afternoon I picked him up.
When Radar first saw my hubby on Wednesday morning, it was as though they had known each other all of the dog’s life. Radar practically did a Snoopy happy dance! He was barking and wagging his tail and bouncing around happily. Sorry, no photo of the bouncy boy, but here he is with hubby.
And here’s one of Radar giving me the happy paw.
And one where he and Ducky met each other. Ducky was so good! No growling, grumbling, or snarling. Just polite sniffing. The way Callie taught her so many years ago.
Once Radar’s heartworm treatments are complete and he tests negative, we will have first dibs on adopting him.
This boy is Heaven-sent. Callie and Shadow found him for us and intervened in his foster home placement. He’s a very handsome boy; and he’s a perfect fit for our little family. He’s the boy hubby and I need, the brother and friend Ducky needs, and we’re the permanent family he needs.
Some months ago a friend posted something on Facebook that asked her gal pals – in essence – “if you had to choose between a man and a dog, which breed would you choose?” My answer was “a male Golden Retriever that I could name Radar because he would instinctively know what’s about to happen. Just like my favorite character on my favorite tv show of all time, M*A*S*H.” That was only a few weeks after Shadow had been reunited with Callie. I wasn’t ready for another dog, not even a Golden. And Ducky wasn’t ready yet either. She missed Shadow, but she was enjoying all the extra attention from hubby and me.
Back in July I decided I was ready. And Ducky was ready. I think hubby was ready a week or two after Shadow had gone ahead.
On August 3rd, our local Golden Retriever rescue group had a meet and greet at the nearby Petco store. Hubby and I went and turned in our adoption application. In September, a volunteer called to schedule our home visit. We thought we were in for a long wait, so we relaxed and continued spoiling Ducky with extra love. I knew that when the time was right, Callie and Shadow would send us the right dog. Our angel girls know exactly what we need.
As I write this post Radar has been with us for two and a half days. Hubby and I love him already. This boy is so sweet, so easy-going, so gentle. And happy. That tail seems to wag constantly, sometimes even when he’s asleep. He seems to be “settling in” pretty easily. He loves Ducky, though Ducky’s not quite sure about him yet. She will be in time. At least he shrugs off her grumpy moments. And gives her a look like “what-ever” as he gives her some space. I think they’ll eventually be great friends as well as siblings.
Congratulations! How wonderful for your whole family. These things always happen for a reason, and he was meant to be with you. Enjoy getting to know each other.
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Thank you!! Ducky is going through a bit of a jealousy streak right now. She’ll get over it like she did with Shadow.
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This is brilliant and I am so very happy for you, hubby and, of course, Dear Ducky. Everything will work out, the adoption and Ducky getting used to not being an only dog to having a friend, companion and sibling. As Sinatra said “The Best is Yet to Come”.
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Thank you!!
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I am doing the HAPPY DANCE!!! SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU! What a handsome dog Radar is and I can tell how much he loves you and your husband already!! (BTW you and I are BOTH “silver foxes” I let my hair go natural too…but I digress!) Sooo happy for all of you! Yep there is definitely divine intervention at work! xoxo
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Oh, Caren, I just realized I never replied to your comment. So sorry! One of my hooligans must have distracted me that day. Anyway, Radar’s been with us nearly 2 weeks already. In some ways it feels like much longer, like he’s been with us since he was a pup; in other ways it feels like just a few days. But he definitely belongs here with us for “fur-ever”
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What a great match. Sometimes it seems that the whole universe works to find the perfect home for deserving dogs. It is hard to believe this lovely dog has been neglected.
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I know, right?! He is such a lovebug, I can’t imagine why anyone would want to lose him!
But, their loss is our gain, so that chapter of Radar’s life is closed forever.
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Oh my, that is totally wonderful. Welcome home Radar, enjoy your family time and Dad time too!
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Thanks Brian!
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He’s so perfect for all of you. And did I say how much I love his name? Perfect also! I’m so happy for you! ā„
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Thanks my sweet friend!
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Congratulations! Radar is just a sweetie, there is love all over this post – what good news!
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Thank you! Times Two, for the sweet comment and for stopping by!!
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Oh, I’m so happy. I don’t know who is more fortunate with this placement–you or Radar.
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Thank you, Pamela!
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Squeals!!!! So happy you’re going to get your ‘pawfect’ companion in Radar. The girls must have really planted the seed that he should come along right now. š„°Long live the tail wags from his sweet boy. Sending love to you and Ducky as you welcome him into your home and your heart.
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Thank you, my friend!
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This makes my heart SO happy, 1) because I know how much you have been missing the golden love and 2) because you have saved a life.
It seems like the stars aligned for you and it’s very possible a male will be a good fit for Ducky.
Congratulations my sweet friend!!
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Thank you!! He’s such a good boy! He’s going to need some training in the basics, but that will come with time.
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Awww, Radar is adorable and you just can’t beat Labs for loving pups. She’s a handsome one too.
I linked this post to Awww Mondays. I hope you don’t mind.
Have a fabulous day and week. Scritches to Ducky and Radar. ā„
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That’s fine, Sandee! Radar’s a boy – like my favorite MASH character – and actually a purebred Golden Retriever rather than a Lab. But either way, he’s a sweet, sweet boy. Ducky’s still getting used to him. And getting used to not being an only dog again.
Thanks for the hook-up! I have my hands full right now managing these two hooligans, so don’t know where I’ll find time to link up to any posts. At least for a few weeks anyway.
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I knew he was a boy and why I said she is beyond. I hadn’t had my coffee yet. Have fun with your hooligans. They are worth every minute. š
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Wonderful! Congratulations!!
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Thank you! He’s a sweet boy! I can’t wait until his treatments are done and I can let him off leash in the yard!
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Heartworm treatment is so miserable. Hope it is done soon.
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The rescue group’s vet wants to wait until he’s been with us for about a month before starting the treatments.
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